In The Arena

What a wonderful start of camp we had today! It was so nice to see many old friends and welcome new ones to Rockmont. I am grateful for the trust you extend to us each summer. The campers are having a Blast! This afternoon everyone enjoyed a swim test, tribal activities, and a retreat gathering at 5:30. It was like a fall day with the high temperature in the middle 70”s. We entered the dining hall singing the Craw Dad song and When the Saints Come Marching In. Everyone’s plate was filled with chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and ice cream was served for dessert. Your sons have great appetites when they are at camp and we encourage them to try everything.

After dinner we sat in order, cabin 1 through 44, on the hill beneath the gym for our camp picture. One of the highlights each session is the humor of the photographer. Here’s one of the jokes he told tonight; “What’s the difference between an African elephant and an Indian elephant? About 3000 miles.” That is very close to funny. Tonight’s evening activities were a photo scavenger hunt for the Bear campers, battle ball for the Deer campers, and the Mountain campers are currently on the mountain for Council Ring.

Tomorrow morning we will enjoy singing some camp songs, learning how to clean at camp, go to four different skills and have a morning and afternoon free swim. We are very proud of the work your boys and young men are doing at Rockmont. I spoke with each of the tribes this evening and reminded them that new challenges require courage and the good news is that these guys are COURAGEOUS!

Below an excerpt from a Theodore Roosevelt speech that I’ll be sharing with our Catalyst tonight. It speaks to fine work that each of our campers are doing. Going to camp is not only a ton of fun, it also cultivates an inner strength that allows our young men to try new things, make new friendships and be apart a bigger story.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” T.R.

I hope that each of you had safe travels after leaving camp. Keep us in your prayers and have a great two weeks….WE WILL!

Gratefully, Dan Davis

Tonight’s Bible Reading… Scripture: Mark 6:45-51 Story: Jesus Calms the Storm +Where do you see yourself in the story? +What is the good news?